A Chill A Minute County Nears Record Of46

60s On Way

In fact, Fort Lauderdale`s record low for the date was in danger of falling overnight Monday as temperatures in the middle 40s were being predicted. The city`s record for the date is 46.

A high-pressure system, producing a cold front and bringing winds from the north, is the cause, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

``The winds are coming out of the north because of the frontal passage,`` said John Jamison of the National Weather Service in Coral Gables. ``It`s just the nature of the beast.

``It would be a blessing if you were in Chicago.``

But by South Florida standards it`s going to be cold.

How cold? According to Jamison, this morning`s temperatures were expected to be in the low 50s near the ocean and in the mid- to upper 40s inland, with winds from 15 to 20 mph.

``The winds are going to be strong enough that any chance of frost is going to be out of the question,`` Jamison said.

But temperatures could match Fort Lauderdale`s record low.

``I suspect there are places inland that are going to see that,`` Jamison said.

The normal low for this time of year is about 60 degrees, he said, and the normal high is around 80.

The National Weather Service forecast for the next three days calls for the lowest readings this morning and then a gradual warming as the cold front moves through South Florida and winds switch from the north to the south and southeast.

Today should be mostly sunny and breezy, with highs near 70 and winds from the northeast at 15 to 20 mph.

Tonight should be a bit warmer, with lows in the low- to mid-60s and easterly winds from 10 to 15 mph.